PLEASE help w/ electronics selection for a new boat
Paul Ziajski
suggestions for electornics that I'm planning to put on this boat. I will need a
VHF, GPS, and a GOOD fishfinder (color pref.) for starters. I'm totally
disappointed with the VHF I have on my current boat (Shakespeare SE2550). It turned
out that it was not totally waterproof and has been acting-up on various occasions.
Needless to say, I'd rather avoid Shakespeare products. I also have the Humminbird
Wide 3D Vision fishfinder which I paid almost $400 for and turned out to be a toy
with its fancy 3D mesh (I pay more attention to the 2D view) :( I do not currently
own a GPS and need most suggestions in this department (good charting capability is
desired). I'd rather spend a couple of extra bucks on the better electronics rather
than again receive mediocre satisfaction I got from the ones I currently own. Your
help is greatly appreciated.
Paul
Gary Segal
Paul,
I recently installed a Lowrance 350A on my fishing boat. This unit combines
a very versatile GPS plotter with an excellent well powered dual frequency
LCD fishfinder. The unit is waterproof, the contrast is quite good, and the
ease of use is striking. Like you I started out with the idea of installing
a color fishfinder, but considering the issues of power consumption, size,
and possibility of water related damage I think I made a good choice.
Another added bonus from the Lowrance unit is the stability of bottom
readings underway. By far there is less bubble artifact with the torpedo
shaped transom mount transducers than with any other fishfinder I have owned.
I know you didn't ask but I will add 2 cents about my new radar. I
installed a Koden 2404 (Sitex T180 clone). This is my first radar, but
after 2 overnight trips, I wouldn't part with it. The installation was
easy- I did it myself, and the unit is operating extremely well right out
of the box without any further adjustments. I don't know what your
priorities are but this is quite a worthwhile investment if you anticipate
being out in the dark or fog.
Good luck, gs
Gary Segal, MD; Dept. of Medicine, UCI/VAMC, 5901 E. 7th Street, Long Beach,
CA 90822; Voice: (310) 494-5484; gse...@orion.oac.uci.edu
"AYMATAI"
Patrick Obel
writes:
>I'm taking delivery of my new 27' Pro-Line in about one month. I need
some solid
>suggestions for electornics that I'm planning to put on this boat. I
will need a
>VHF, GPS, and a GOOD fishfinder (color pref.) for starters. I'm
totally
>disappointed with the VHF I have on my current boat (Shakespeare
SE2550). It turned
>out that it was not totally waterproof and has been acting-up on
various occasions.
>Needless to say, I'd rather avoid Shakespeare products. I also have
the Humminbird
>Wide 3D Vision fishfinder which I paid almost $400 for and turned out
to be a toy
>with its fancy 3D mesh (I pay more attention to the 2D view) :( I do
not currently
>own a GPS and need most suggestions in this department (good charting
capability is
>desired). I'd rather spend a couple of extra bucks on the better
electronics rather
>than again receive mediocre satisfaction I got from the ones I
currently own. Your
>help is greatly appreciated.
>
>Paul
>
Paul:
I debated a long time before taking the plunge and going almost top
of the line with my fishfinder. I had a Raytheon V850 installed.
(16-color, 500 watts RMS, dual frequency, 8" diameter screen, and also
includes a temperature guage, speed guage, and does plotting). As a
fishfinder, it is the best I have ever seen. The Furuno guys claim
there 8" unit is better, but when pressed, they admitted that it was
better only because it was easier to operate and that the Raytheon was
better at showing fish, etc. (I can pick of thermoclines and a 1 oz.
sinker dropping to 60'. I also paid about $300 to have a fairing block
made so the unit would work decently at a planing speed. That part of
the investment paid off less well. I can still pick up a hard bottom
at 15 kts, but there is too much noise to see most fish. On the other
hand, at trolling speeds, it is great.
My radios are both ICOM, and give clearer reception than any other
radios I know.
The radar is Furuno 1721. Seems adaquate, but I have little
standard of comparison.
Loran is Micrologic. Again, adequate (but substantially better
than the Apelco that I used to have).
GPS is Garmin 75. It does everything I could ask of it. I have it
interfaced to a Lowrance Explorer 1000 electronic chart device. Handy,
but a little cheesy. It is monocrome, color would probably be nice,
but substantially more expensive.
Autopilot is Benmar Cetek CS21. It does a better job than I can.
The boat also has a fuel flow meter and totalizer made by Floscan.
Not too much alternative there, but the Flowscan is adequate.
I think that is it.
-Rick
Paul Ziajski
helpful to me. One problem, though :( Most of you suggested Lowrance as the
better/more popular GPS/FF/chart plotter and I can't find any discount marine product
supplier who carries any Lowrance stuff (E&B, Overton's, M&E, Cabela's, etc.). Where
can I go to find Lowrance products?
Paul
Capt. David Pierucci
included). One has the smart card reader that reads both memory cards and Navioncs
chart cards. I find it to be excellent and if you have the dollars to invest it's
about the best I've used.
I'm an instuctor for ProCaptains and a full time captain and have used almost all
the gear on the market. Howevr we all have our likes and dislikes so that this for
what it's worth.
One of the NT200Ds talk to a Furuno RP100 radar plotter that also reads the Navionic
cards. This is interfaced to a 24 volt Furuno 8100 72 mi. radar. The setup is truly
astounding for detail and clarity. Hower this little set is about 20 grand all told
so maybe you don't exactly want to rush out and grab this combo.
We use a Furuno 558 color fishfinder and I feind id to be better and easier to
operate thatn the 552 it replaced.
ICOMs on the boat inclde the 120 (2) and a 500. The 500 is way to complicated but
works OK. We also have a SEA 330 SSB which is a 300 watt unit that does the job.
As I say this is a no holds barred setup done by an owner who doesn't mind spending
money on his machine. (Including his full time driver...that's me)
Hope this is of some help
--
Capt. D.
CapQ...@capquest.com
http://www.aztec.com/pub/aztec/capquest/home.html
Rule 17c: "It is inadvisable to turn to port
when avoiding a vessel approaching
from port"
Peter D. Engels
<zia...@morgan.com> wrote:
Most of you suggested Lowrance as the
> better/more popular GPS/FF/chart plotter and I can't find any discount
marine product
> supplier who carries any Lowrance stuff (E&B, Overton's, M&E, Cabela's,
etc.). > Where can I go to find Lowrance products?
Defender Industries, in New Rochelle, NY, carries a lot of Lowrance
stuff. Also, the Eagle Accunav handheld GPS is identical to the Lowrance
handheld GPS. You can reach Defender at 914-632-3001.
--
Pete
mcr...@digital.net
> Defender Industries, in New Rochelle, NY, carries a lot of Lowrance
> stuff. Also, the Eagle Accunav handheld GPS is identical to the Lowrance
> handheld GPS. You can reach Defender at 914-632-3001.
But there's a caveat - Lowrance won't allow it to be sold mail-order.
They will only sell in face to face deals.
Mark
--
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Mark Crafts Melbourne FL
mcr...@digital.net
"You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough."
D. Fortner
: Peter D. Engels (pet...@mitre.org) wrote:
: > Defender Industries, in New Rochelle, NY, carries a lot of Lowrance
: > stuff. Also, the Eagle Accunav handheld GPS is identical to the Lowrance
: > handheld GPS. You can reach Defender at 914-632-3001.
: But there's a caveat - Lowrance won't allow it to be sold mail-order.
: They will only sell in face to face deals.
West Marine has the Lowrance LMS-350A on sale thru Aug. 13th. The mail
order number is (800)538-0775.
Dave Fortner
for...@ddi.digital.net
Butt-head
>I'd like to thank all of you who contributed recommendations and advice -
>it's very helpful to me. One problem, though :( Most of you suggested
>Lowrance as the better/more popular GPS/FF/chart plotter and I can't find
>any discount marine product supplier who carries any Lowrance stuff (E&B,
>Overton's, M&E, Cabela's, etc.). Where can I go to find Lowrance products?
West Marine carries Lowrance products.
-geo
--
____________________________
butt...@mars.superlink.net
Time is a great teacher, but unfortunately it kills all its pupils.
bilo...@ix.netcom.com
>In article <3vii0p$c...@sanews1.morgan.com>, zia...@morgan.com (Paul Ziajski) writes:
>> ... and I can't find any discount marine product supplier who carries any
>> Lowrance stuff (E&B, Overton's, M&E, Cabela's, etc.). Where
>> can I go to find Lowrance products?
>>
> Lowrance sells through retail dealers only.
Lowrance manufactures essentially identical units under two, and now
maybe three product line names. Lowrance is sold through dealers.
Eagle can be had via mail order. The latest West Marine catalog also
lists a new Sea View line by Lowrance. All three lines use
interchangeable transducers and other accessories, according to the
West Marine catalog.
If you've picked out a particular Lowrance model, chances are the
identical electronics are available in an Eagle and/or Sea View case,
possibly with a slightly different keypad layout.
Walt Bilofsky
Golden Phoenix (Cape Dory 30 Poweryacht)